On March 20, 2023, Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), the licensing and regulating body for professional engineering in the province, laid 352 charges against Jay Lawrence Harding (also known as Jaye Lawrence Harding) under the Professional Engineers Act and the Provincial Offences Act for falsely representing himself as a professional engineer in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Mr. Harding is charged with using a forged seal and the title of a licensed professional engineer in the course of performing, under the name AJ Ontario Hoist Inspections, at least 80 “inspections” and “non-destructive tests” of cranes and lifting devices in the Region of Waterloo in 2021. According to PEO’s member registry, Mr. Harding is not presently and has never been licensed as a professional engineer in Ontario. PEO also understands that Mr. Harding does not hold a non-destructive testing certification.

PEO believes that Mr. Harding may have falsely represented himself as a professional engineer in respect of crane and lifting device inspections for other entities, posing a broader risk to public safety. In addition, PEO understands that in 2022, Mr. Harding relocated to New Brunswick and incorporated a new sole proprietorship named AJ Hoist Inspections. Mr. Harding may therefore continue to falsely represent himself as a professional engineer in New Brunswick.

PEO continues to investigate this matter as part of its mandate to protect the public interest. Anyone in possession of a sealed or stamped document or certification bearing the name “J.L. Harding”, “J. Harding”, “Jay Harding”, “AJ Ontario Hoist Inspections”, or AJ Hoist Inspections”, or who has engaged any of them for professional engineering or inspection services, is encouraged to contact PEO’s enforcement hotline immediately at 416-840-1444 or 1-800-339-3716 ext 1444, or by writing to us at enforcement@peo.on.ca.

To check whether an individual is licensed or a firm holds a certificate of authorization (C of A), search the directories of practitioners (licence and C of A holders) at www.peo.on.ca. To report unlicensed individuals and unauthorized companies, contact PEO’s enforcement hotline at 416-840-1444 or 1-800-339-3716, ext. 1444, or email enforcement@peo.on.ca.

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